Successful Implementation of Voice-enabled Features in Mobile Apps

A recent survey by Forrester (US based market research company) indicates the growing popularity of voice control apps among mobile workers. A majority of those who use voice recognition use it to send text messages, 46 percent use voice for searches, 40 percent use it for navigation, and 38 percent use voice recognition to take notes. Here are some companies who have gone all-in on voice control.

Successful Speech Implementations

Kindle

The Kindle app was developed by IVONA Software, which was subsequently purchased by Amazon. Kindle has many convenient features, including the ability to convert text to speech, as well as voice-over translations. The app is perfect for people living a busy life and loving to multitask.

Google Voice Search

Since 2011, Google has introduced a speech recognition function not only on desktop computers but also on mobile devices, the voice control function is also supported on phones with the Android operating system.

In just a couple of years, Google managed to significantly improve its product, over time it learned to recognize not just short phrases (of 35-40 words), but also long continuous speech. Google Voice Search is specifically applied in Google Translate, it keeps evolving thanks to the use of the neural-net technology.

Ask.com, a question answering-focused web search engine, has integrated Nuance’s speech recognition technology into its iOS and Android apps. This linkage lets users use their voice to ask and answer questions as well as comment on answers.

Earlier this year, a startup called Joyride that aims to make voice activated mobile apps to make driving safe and social, had raised $1 million in funding. The venture aims to make full-blown rich mobile application that is 100 percent hands-free and brings all the social fun pieces of the Internet to you while you are driving.

Another startup – Nuiku, whose goal is to build apps that are virtual assistants for specific roles, has raised $1.6 million seed round recently.

8 Top Brands who have already Mastered Voice

1. IFTTT

IFTTT is at the top of the list due to its long (and growing!) list of Amazon Alexa recipes. Customers can connect IFTTT’s mobile apps with Alexa to find their phone, add to-do’s in their preferred list apps, lock their homes, change their living room light settings, start a Google spreadsheet, and more.

2. Starbucks

In a partnership with Amazon Alexa and through voice capabilities within the Starbucks app, Starbucks now offers a voice ordering option. Always at the forefront of tech adoption, the Starbucks team once again proves how important mobile is to their overall business strategy. They’ve invested heavily in their mobile app through its design, order and pay functionality, and “skip ahead” ordering, and voice ordering is the next step to creating a better customer experience.

3. Capital One Bank

Capital One Bank charged ahead of its industry with its cutting-edge Amazon Alexa integration. Once mobile customers connect their accounts, they can check account balances, track spending, or even make a payment through voice control. Between its sleek mobile app and its Alexa integration, Capital One is making banking on the go easier than ever with voice.

4. Domino’s

Through its Amazon Alexa integration, Domino’s customers can now order their pizzas without lifting a finger. To place an order, customers must enable the Domino’s Skill within the Amazon Alexa app by linking their account to their Domino’s Pizza Profile. To simply track their order, Domino’s customers must enter the phone number associated with the order and Alexa will provide its current status. What a delicious, dynamic duo.

5. Philips Hue

By partnering with Amazon Alexa, Philips Hue is out to make homes smarter and brighter through voice commands. From commands like “Alexa, turn on relax in the family room,” to “Alexa, turn on the party in the living room,” the Philips Hue integration just made mood lighting a whole lot easier to set, no matter the occasion.

6. Kayak

Through downloading the Alexa app and enabling the Kayak Skill, Kayak customers are now able to search for travel options, track flights, rent cars, and more with voice command. Kayak is one of the first travel apps to take this step into the voice arena, pushing themselves ahead of their competition in the process.

7. Nest

Nest customers who are used to controlling their thermostat, security systems, doorbells, and more through their mobile apps are now able to leverage voice command through their Alexa integration. This Skill takes sleeping in on a Saturday morning to a whole new level—all at your perfect temperature.

8. Spotify

Spotify customers can now link their accounts through Amazon’s Alexa app for full voice control over their playlists. This simple integration makes the app hands-free and allows for voice-controlled song change whether you’re elbow-deep prepping dinner, entertaining guests, or can’t be bothered to pick up your phone.

Looking Ahead for Voice-Enabled Mobile Apps

Voice-powered tech is still in its earliest stages, and the way the technology will integrate with our lives is still to be determined. What may be popular today may be bad practice next month as people continue to adopt the technology, and it will be exciting to see other apps enter the space with incredible integrations. Is this a passing fad or could voice recognition technology change the way we interact forever? Let’s wait and watch.

In the meanwhile, if you want to join the bandwagon do drop us an email at sales@pragmatic-voice.com and one of our voice experts will get back to you within 1-2 business days.